Alentejo reveals itself through clay, cork, olive groves and wine aged in amphorae. Led by your hand-picked Signature Guide, begin in Lisbon before travelling south to meet the artisans shaping Arraiolos rugs and Estremoz clay figures, enter Vila Viçosa’s ducal palace, and trace Évora’s Roman and medieval past. Share dinner with an olive-growing family, cruise Lake Alqueva aboard a private vintage boat, and hear Cante Alentejano over lunch. This is Portugal at a slower pace: shaped by craftsmanship, generous tables and enduring ties to the land.
Venture to the very heart of each destination on our Signature Collection, where every journey is shaped by our unrivalled local connections and insider expertise. Step beyond the ordinary with private invitations, rare encounters, and experiences few will ever share. So when someone says, “I’ve been there,” you’ll simply smile, knowing you’ve experienced it differently.
Signature Day: Experience our distinctive Signature Day, choosing between carefully selected optional activities such as a horseback ride across the Alentejo plains, a tile workshop in an atelier, or a guided walk along Évora’s ancient aqueduct
Signature Stay: Discover timeless serenity at M’ar de Ar Aqueduto, an elegant retreat set within a 16th-century palace in the heart of Évora’s UNESCO-listed historic centre
Signature Guide: Let your hand-picked Signature Guide lead you to the country’s soul – sharing their home, heritage, and heart
Activity Areas
Culture
Region & Country & City
Europe: Lisbon, Portugal
Included in the Price
Elegant, hand-picked hotels and a Signature Stay in a revamped palace - All breakfasts, four lunches, and three dinners, capturing authentic Alentejano cuisine - Your preferred Signature Day experience, selected and prebooked ahead of travel - Named Signature Guide with outstanding knowledge and guest satisfaction - Complimentary transfers on arrival and departure, ensuring a smooth journey, plus comfortable private transport throughout - Gratuities for local support staff so every detail of your journey feels effortless
Not Included In The Price
Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations.
Map
Itinerary
Day 1 Settle into Lisbon’s rhythm | Welcome reception
Welcome to Lisbon, a city gilded by light where the scent of sweet pastries mingles with sea air. After you complimentary arrival transfer, settle into Hotel Tivoli, an elegant retreat on Avenida Liberdade.
As evening falls, meet your fellow travellers and Signature Guide at a welcome reception, the perfect opportunity to settle in, get to know one another, and begin the journey ahead before enjoying a relaxed dinner together.
Day 2 Journey into the Alentejo | Uncover Arraiolos’ hand-embroidered rug tradition
After breakfast, we enjoy a leisurely stroll through Lisbon, soaking up the vibrant atmosphere before heading south into the Alentejo region.
Leaving Lisbon, we journey to the picturesque town of Arraiolos, stopping en route for lunch at O Alpendre, a family-owned restaurant renowned for serving authentic regional cuisine.
This afternoon, we are welcomed for a private visit to the CITA (Arraiolos Rug Interpretive Centre), where we uncover the centuries-old history and craftsmanship behind Portugal's iconic hand-embroidered rugs.
Afterwards, wander the alleys of the old town, stepping into ateliers where traditional techniques are passed through generations. Continue to Vila Viçosa, where we check in to Alentejo Marmòris Hotel & Spa.
This evening is yours to enjoy at leisure. Choose from our hand-picked local dining recommendations or savour dinner at the hotel, making the most of the exceptional surroundings and warm Alentejan hospitality.
Day 3 Trace Alentejo’s royal artistry | Meet the Flores sisters preserving Estremoz clay craft
Step into Portugal's royal past with an exclusive guided visit to the magnificent Paço Ducal Palace. Renowned for its Renaissance architecture, exquisite collections, and noble heritage, the palace offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the Portuguese aristocracy.
Continue to the historic town of Estremoz to explore its medieval castle and cultural museum. We enjoy a special visit with the Flores sisters, master artisans dedicated to preserving the UNESCO-recognised tradition of Estremoz clay dolls.
Lunch is served at Mercearia Gadanha, a former grocery store transformed into one of the region's most celebrated restaurants. Here, traditional Alentejo flavours are reimagined with contemporary flair, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of the region.
Later, we gain insight into one of Portugal's most iconic natural resources with a visit to Cortiçarte. Discover how cork is transformed from raw material into beautifully crafted contemporary pieces, blending centuries-old techniques with innovative design.
Returning to our hotel, the remainder of the evening is yours to relax and enjoy at leisure.
Day 4 Trace Évora’s layered past | Share dinner with an olive-growing family
Walk through Évora with an expert local guide, visiting the cathedral, Roman Temple and Chapel of Bones before gaining private access to a lesser-seen corner of the old city. After time for lunch, settle into M’ar de Ar Aqueduto, your Signature Stay within a restored 16th-century palace.
Signature Experience: This evening, visit the family estate behind Amor é Cego olive oil. Walk among native Galega trees, learn how dry farming and biodiversity shape each small batch, then share dinner with the family, accompanied by stories of the land and the flavours of Alentejo.
Day 5 Signature Day | Craft, ride or explore timeless Évora
Today is your Signature Day, inviting you to connect with Alentejo’s artistry and rhythm. You could:
Explore Évora by e-bike (riding for approximately 2hr 30min), gliding between olive groves and whitewashed villages on gentle trails through the Alentejo plains (from 9am)
Enjoy an expertly guided walking tour, following the line of a 16th-century aqueduct through whitewashed lanes, shaded courtyards, and glimpses of everyday life behind ancient walls (from 9am)
Join a local artist for a tile-painting workshop, learning traditional techniques and creating your own piece inspired by Alentejo’s patterns (from 2pm)
Ride horseback (riding for approximately 45 minutes) through golden countryside and holm oak forests, the gentle pace revealing landscapes unchanged for centuries (from 2pm)
This evening is free to relax and dine at leisure or speak to your Signature Guide for some of their local restaurant recommendations.
Day 6 Follow the olive path | Cruise across Lake Alqueva in a private vintage boat
Signature Experience: Journey to Monsaraz for a private cruise across the tranquil waters of Lake Alqueva, one of Europe's largest artificial lake. Relax aboard a beautifully restored vintage boat as you glide through this vast landscape with a glass of champagne in hand, taking in uninterrupted views of the surrounding countryside.
Back on shore, visit Museu da Luz, where photographs and personal accounts reveal how a displaced community preserved its identity after the dam’s construction.
Lunch follows at Sem Fim, set within a former olive mill and centred on regional Alentejo cooking.
Later, walk through Monsaraz with a private guide, tracing its medieval streets to the castle ramparts, where the plains, lake and distant Spanish border unfold below. Return to Évora this evening.
Day 7 Trace Alentejo’s Roman roots | Celebrate the journey at Fitapreta Winery
Begin among the Roman ruins of São Cucufate, where a private guide reveals the civilisations that shaped Alentejo and its enduring Mediterranean ties.
Continue to Vila de Frades, the centre of vinho de talha making, for a private cellar visit exploring how wine is fermented in clay amphorae using methods preserved for more than two millennia. Over lunch at a local tasca, taste regional dishes and hear the harmonies of UNESCO-recognised Cante Alentejano.
Signature Experience: This evening, celebrate the journey with a farewell dinner at acclaimed Fitapreta Winery. Surrounded by vineyards and layers of local history, enjoy estate wines and regional cuisine while reflecting on your time in Portugal. It is a fitting finale, bringing together the traditions, flavours and generous hospitality of Alentejo.
Day 8 Bid a fond farewell to Portugal
Before taking your complimentary departure transfer to the airport, take a moment to linger in the quiet corners of M'ar de Ar Aqueduto. The week’s flavours, the friendships, and the golden landscapes of Alentejo are etched in memory. This chapter may close, but the spirit of Alentejo endures: grounded, golden, and unforgettable.
Alternatively, extend your stay and continue your journey of discovery. Speak with your Signature Collection travel expert to explore the possibilities.
